Collision crashes Karthikeyan's hope of a top finish in A1 GP

Shanghai, Apr 15 (UNI) India's hope of great finish in the Shanghai leg of the A1 GP came to an end when an opening lap incident in the Feature race ultimately forced Narain Karthikeyan to retire in the last lap here today.

The team began the weekend well, setting times consistently in the top four all weekend, and qualifying fifth for the Sprint race.

Karthikeyan went on to bring the Indian car home in seventh place, just outside the points.

However, a great start in the second race of the day was soon spoilt by contact with another car, the long term damage of which led to Karthikeyan's retirement on the last lap of the Feature race.

Karthikeyan had a good start from his fifth place grid slot for the 10 lap Sprint race, but as the field closed up to head round turn one, the India racer was squeezed and A1 Team Switzerland found a way past.

Karthikeyan then came under attack from Alex Yoong and the two former F1 racers enjoyed a battle for position, with the Malaysian car finally finding a way past India. Karthikeyan maintained his position to equal the team's previous best finish and cross the line seventh. With points only awarded for the top six in A1GP's sprint race, the team were left to hope for points in the Feature race.

Taking his finishing position from the Sprint race as his grid slot for the Feature race, Karthikeyan lined up seventh for the second race of the day. The A1 Team India driver had a good start to pass the Malaysian car off the grid, but as the cars filed through the tight first corner, the Indian car made contact with the Swiss and South African cars. The damage sustained in this first lap accident eventually ended India's race.

UNI